ROCKWOOL CANADA SAIL GP 2024

It was exciting to see Team USA back on the water, even if only for the first day. The Canadian course welcomed Team USA back to the regatta following their absence in the previous race.

DAY 1

FLEET RACE I

Canada and New Zealand crossed the line first, with teams spreading out across the water to the initial marks. Around the first mark, the French and Spanish battled for the lead positions. Germany managed to spend some time in the top five, while Canada slipped down the leaderboard.

The Spanish exemplary performance this season, has been an impressive underdog story, climbing the leaderboards. From the beginning of the to Los Angeles, even the Euro-stint. Then again during this weekends regatta we saw yet another win for Spain.

FLEET RACE II

The French flew through the start to mark number one, leaving the pack behind. Denmark and Spain crossed the water before France, pushing them into second position. Spain's attempt to advance was thwarted by the Germans, pushing the Dens into the lead. France fell from first to fourth around leg three and later to eighth. Denmark maintained the lead, while New Zealand held second and Canada third.

Behind them, the French battled the Germans for fourth place, resulting in a penalty for the  France team that dropped them down the leaderboard. Despite there best efforts Team USA played it a little too safe and like the first race of the weekend, found themselves in the last position. Denmark, New Zealand, and Canada held the top three positions around the final leg.

FLEET RACE III

Germany and Switzerland crossed the start line first, with the Australians quickly overtaking both teams. Australia and Denmark made a spectacular turn around the first mark, with Denmark initially taking the lead before slipping away. Canada regained first place but quickly incurred a boundary penalty, allowing Great Britain to briefly take the lead before Australia and New Zealand moved into the top spots.

Canada received a second penalty during the race. Despite a strong battle for first place between Canada and Great Britain, both teams were ultimately overtaken by the Australians. At the finish line, Australia took first, Great Britain second, and Canada third.

DAY 2

Day two of the regatta began with a delay due to impending brutal weather conditions, prompting Sail GP officials to keep three of the poorer performing teams on their cranes. The weather conditions remained calm for the first race, though later deteriorated by the second race with downpours, high winds, and rough waters.

FLEET RACE IV

For the first race of the day, Switzerland, USA, and Germany had their F50s remain craned, while Great Britain began with a penalty. The French started first, leading the fleet around the initial mark, with Australia turning out first to the second gate. Later experiencing, nearly causing the Aussies to capsize. Despite the challenging conditions, Canada led the fleet, winning their first race of the weekend.

FLEET RACE V

Weather conditions worsened by the start of the fifth race. Germany also returned for the final fleet race despite their absence in the previous race.

New Zealand lead the fleet across the start as the weather conditions intensified the competition, with Great Britain leading at mark two. Spain managed to improve their performance further rushing the course. Canada again managed to get ahead of the fleet. Australia held first position around gate four but faced a sudden capsize shortly thereafter the result of a wing inversion, dropping them from the final race. Spain took first place, Great Britain second, and France third.

GRAND PRIX

France, Great Britain, and Denmark competed in the Grand Prix. Great Britain crossed the start line first, with France and Denmark close behind around the first mark.